MANILA, March 29 — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Thursday there is nothing wrong with the proposal of Kalayaan town officials in Palawan and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to construct a beaching ramp on Pagasa island.

"That (creation of beaching ramp) is the prerogative of local officials as it would spur development in their respective areas," Gazmin added.

The DND chief also stressed that the Philippine government can easily answer any protest made by Chinese authorities as Pagasa is part of the country's territory.

Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon earlier said the beaching ramp will be constructed by the PPA with the support of the Philippine Navy (PN).

He declined to give specifics and costs about the beaching ramp, which is expected to be completed by 2012, saved that it will allow roll-off/roll-on (RORO) ships to unload their cargoes directly at Pagasa, sparing residents the arduous task of hauling their basic necessities from the transporting "banca" to the shore.

Bito-onon said that the project's sole purpose is to improve the lives of his constituents and provide the latter with some of the basic amenities of civilization.

The Kalayaan executive said that should the program reaches fruition, they will request the PPA to construct a modern port in their municipality to ensure constant communication and resupply from Palawan and other parts of the country.

Kalayaan is a 6th class municipality in the province of Palawan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 114 people in 12 households. (PNA)